Wichita, Kansas, January 19, 2024, Business Wire – Textron Aviation (NYSE: TXT) today announced a purchase agreement for the first Cessna SkyCourier passenger variant in Australia to regional airline Hinterland Aviation. The aircraft, expected to deliver in 2026, will add to Hinterland’s expansive fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans to provide a greater payload capacity and increased passenger seating. This fleet expansion will greatly benefit remote communities, as well as the tourism and business sectors in Queensland.
The Cessna SkyCourier is meticulously designed to deliver unparalleled performance, unwavering reliability and cost-effective maintenance. With the ability to be operated by a single pilot and a generous payload capacity, the SkyCourier is the ultimate solution for air freight, passenger and special mission needs. The aircraft is highly adaptable and can effortlessly adjust configurations to effectively complete any mission, ensuring a significant return on investment.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
September 20, 2023,– NetJets named launch customer for the new Cessna Citation Ascend
Wichita, Kansas, Business Wire – Textron Aviation (NYSE: TXT) and NetJets, a Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKa) today announced a record-breaking fleet agreement for the option for NetJets to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over the next 15 years. This agreement extends NetJets’ existing fleet agreement, and includes options for an increasing number of aircraft each year, enabling NetJets to expand its fleet with Cessna Citation Ascend, Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude aircraft. Equally exciting is the announcement that NetJets has been named the fleet launch customer for Textron Aviation’s newest jet — the Citation Ascend. Deliveries of the Citation Ascend are expected to begin in 2025 when the aircraft, currently under development, is expected to enter into service.
Since the inception of the more than 40-year relationship between the companies, NetJets has taken delivery of more than 800 aircraft from Textron Aviation, including exercising over 300 options for Citation Latitudes and Longitudes during the past eight years. This enduring relationship equips discerning customers with class-leading, safe, and reliable aviation travel experiences worldwide. Through the years, NetJets has owned and operated industry-leading Citations including the Citation SII, V, Excel/XLS, Sovereign, X, Latitude and Longitude models.
The Citation series of business jets has evolved to offer an unmatched range of capabilities, systems and options that allow customers to expand their business reach. More than 30 Citation models have been certified over the 50-year history of the Citation line. There are currently six Citation models in production: Citation M2 Gen2,Citation CJ3+, Citation CJ4 Gen2, Citation XLS Gen2, Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude, with the Citation Ascend under development.
Wichita, Kansas (BUSINESS WIRE) – Textron Aviation (NYSE: TXT) announced today significant enhancements to its iconic Cessna high-wing piston aircraft lineup including the Cessna Skyhawk, Cessna Skylane, Cessna Turbo Skylane and Cessna Turbo Stationair HD. Coming in 2024, customers will enjoy a range of new high tech standard features and sleek interior design options including modern and comfortable seating, updated instrument panels and new exterior paint styles.
The first change that customers will notice is an enhanced level of comfort and functionality throughout the aircraft. With new power headset jacks and charging ports at every seat (USB A and C device compatibility), upgraded seats with additional support and padding, and a brand-new center armrest for the Cessna Skylane, Turbo Skylane, and Turbo Stationair HD models, customers will experience a whole new level of excellence in flight.
The lineup also offers exceptional style with top-notch performance. From the sleek black instrument panel to the new side panels, window locks and air vents, the aircraft is designed to make the flying experience even more exciting. Owners can select from a variety of modern standard paint schemes to customize their aircraft and make it their own. With decades of impressive performance, powerful capability and low operating costs, the Cessna piston lineup is the perfect choice for aviators — whether they’re taking their first solo flight or charting their next big adventure.
Customers and fans can experience the new interior for the first time when the company debuts the design in a Cessna Skyhawk at the upcoming 2023 Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
WICHITA, Kansas (BUSINESS WIRE) – Textron (NYSE: TXT) Aviation today announced that it has delivered the first flagship Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet registered in Mexico to a customer who plans to utilize the aircraft for business travel throughout Mexico and North America. The Longitude received certification from the Mexican Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) in 2022.
The Citation Longitude incorporates the latest technologies throughout the aircraft like integrated autopilot, autothrottles, and emergency descent mode (EDM). The aircraft is equally designed around the pilot experience, passenger comfort and overall performance, delivering an aircraft that lives up to its designation as the flagship of the Citation family of business jets. No other super-midsize business jet offers more range, greater payload or higher cruise speed at a lower direct operating cost. Longitude owners and operators in Mexico can appreciate city pairs such as Monterrey, Mexico to Asuncion, Paraguay; Toluca, Mexico to Belem, Brazil; and with only one stop, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to Tokyo, Japan.
The company recently announced that the 100th production unit of the Citation Longitude rolled out of the factory and is expected to deliver later this year.
About the Cessna Citation Longitude
The clean-sheet design of the Longitude integrates the latest technology throughout the aircraft, bringing customers the lowest direct operating cost in its class. Powered by FADEC-equipped Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines, the Longitude combines on-condition engine overhaul periods to best-in-class airframe intervals of 18 months / 800 hours, whichever occurs first. Textron Aviation’s full time diagnostics recording system (AReS) and 3D Technical Publications combine advanced technology to reduce maintenance downtime and overall costs to operation.
Hahn Air welcomes Harbour Air Seaplanes in its leading partner portfolio. Its flights are available in major GDSs under the Hahn Air Technologies X1 code. Travel agents in 190 markets worldwide can book the latest Canadian partner via the standard reservation process and issue tickets on the insolvency-safe HR-169 document.
Harbour Air Seaplanes (YB) is a Canadian seaplane airline based at Vancouver Coal Harbour airport in British Columbia. It offers scheduled flights to ten domestic destinations, including Victoria Harbour Airport (YWH), Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome (ZNA) and Tofino Harbour (YTP). Its fleet consists of DHC-2’s, DHC-6-200’s, DHC-6-300 fleet aircraft as well as a Cessna Grand Caravan EX.
More information about Harbour Air Seaplanes and other Hahn Air partners is available under Partner Carriers.
About Hahn Air Lines
Hahn Air Lines is a German scheduled and executive charter airline and a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Founded in 1994 at the Hahn Airport, which the airline’s name is derived from, Hahn Air Lines is today based at the German airport Dusseldorf (DUS).
WICHITA, Kan. (Aug. 18, 2021) – Textron Aviation and Honeywell Aerospace are developing an exclusive program for Hawker 4000 and Cessna Citation Sovereign aircraft equipped with the Honeywell PRIMUS EPIC integrated cockpit to allow pilots to communicate more easily with air traffic controllers and utilize the most current Data Link services offered in North America and Europe. The aircraft upgrade is expected to be available in mid-2022.
Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker customers receive factory direct support, maintenance and modifications by Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, through a global network of service and part centers, mobile service units and 24/7 1CALL AOG support.
Future Air Navigation System (FANS) Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) and Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) Protected Mode CPDLC (PM-CPDLC) replace the traditional voice communications used by pilots and controllers with data/text messaging for many standard operating procedures, allowing pilots to communicate with air traffic control with the touch of a button. This increases pilot heads-up time, frees up VHF voice communication bandwidth for more critical communications, and significantly reduces voice readback errors. CPDLC is similar to SMS text messaging used on your personal cell phone but uses prescribed text messages that enable pilots and air traffic controllers (ATC) to quickly and accurately request and authorize clearances and flight plan changes.
The FANS 1/A+ and Protected Mode CPDLC program features:
Ease of operation by quickly and accurately loading complex instructions into the aircraft flight management system with the push of a button
Support for future FAA Next Gen Data Com capabilities
Trajectory-based operations
Improved re-routing of aircraft around severe weather events and traffic congestion
Prioritized departure clearances that can save several minutes of wait time before takeoff
Aircraft operating in continental Europe will also be able to use PM-CPDLC to obtain equivalent benefits of ATC prioritization, delay avoidance, and optimal flight durations.
Textron Aviation’s collaboration with Honeywell on this project enables a cost-effective solution for customers for modernizing the Data Link capabilities of these important aircraft and reduces the certification and installation time. As the original equipment manufacturer of the aircraft, Textron Aviation can offer the OEM-certified upgrade to the PRIMUS EPIC avionics suite that maintains the system integrity as originally certified. Installation can be completed at any domestic or international Textron Aviation service center.
Textron Aviation today announced its flagship Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet achieved certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), clearing the way for customer deliveries to begin in the region.
The Cessna Citation Longitude super-midsize business jet is designed, produced and delivered by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company.
The largest jet in the Cessna Citation lineup, the Longitude was designed with business and return on investment at the forefront, with the lowest direct operating cost of any super-midsize jet. Capable of flying from Geneva to Dubai or Rome to New Delhi, the Longitude offers class-leading comfort, the quietest cabin in class, and advanced connectivity for those focused on staying productive in the air.
As a clean-sheet aircraft, the Longitude was designed with innovation front of mind, and a cabin experience shaped around customer input and a broad range of mission capabilities.
The Longitude is backed by Textron Aviation’s extensive global customer service network, providing customers with direct access to nearly 3,000 expert employees, including service representatives offering maintenance, inspections, parts, repairs, avionic upgrades, equipment installations, refurbishments and other specialized services.
Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, today announced the successful first flight of its new twin utility turboprop, the Cessna SkyCourier. The milestone flight is a significant step toward entry into service for the clean-sheet aircraft, and it kicks off the important flight test program that validates the performance of the Cessna SkyCourier.
“Today was an exciting day for our employees, our suppliers and our customers. The Cessna SkyCourier performed exactly as we expected, which is a testament to the entire team of men and women who worked together to prepare for this day,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “I’m proud of the way the team has persevered through disruptions caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic and remained focused on getting us to this point. The Cessna SkyCourier will be an excellent product in its segment due to its combination of cabin flexibility, payload capability, superior performance and low operating costs. Our customers will be very pleased with what they experience from this aircraft.”
The Cessna SkyCourier took off from the company’s east campus Beech Field Airport, piloted by Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot, and Aaron Tobias, chief test pilot. During the 2-hour and 15-minute flight, the team tested the aircraft’s performance, stability and control, as well as its propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics systems.
“We were very pleased with how the Cessna SkyCourier performed throughout its first flight,” Eckhart said. “It was particularly impressive to see how stable the aircraft handled on takeoff and landing. The Cessna SkyCourier already displays a high level of maturity in its flight characteristics, especially for a first flight. We were able to accomplish everything we wanted on this flight, and that’s an excellent start to the flight test program.”
The prototype aircraft, along with five additional flight and ground test articles, will continue to expand on performance goals, focusing on testing flight controls and aerodynamics.
Relentless capability
The Cessna SkyCourier, featuring Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines, will be offered in various configurations including a 6,000-pound payload capable freighter, a 19-seat passenger version or a mixed passenger/freight combination, all based on the common platform.
The Cessna SkyCourier is designed for high utilization and will deliver a combination of robust performance and lower operating costs. Cessna SkyCourier will feature the popular Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and offer highlights such as a maximum cruise speed of up to 200 ktas and a maximum range of 900 nm. Both freighter and passenger variants of the Cessna SkyCourier will includer single-point pressure refueling as standard to enable faster turnarounds.
(Reuters) – At least 15 people were injured on Friday after a liquid nitrogen line exploded at a Textron Aviation plant near Wichita, Kansas, potentially setting back the launch of a new aircraft under development, county and company officials said.
Image from dailymail.co.uk
Emergency medical services took 11 people to the hospital, one of them suffering potentially serious injuries, Dr. John Gallagher, director of Sedgwick County EMS, told a news conference.
Company officials said two of victims went to the hospital in private cars and two were treated at the scene.
Injuries were limited because only a skeleton crew was on duty during the holidays, said Deputy Chief Daniel Wegner of the Sedgwick County Fire Department.
The explosion in a 3-inch liquid nitrogen gas line also damaged a storage tank, causing nitrogen gas to vent out of the building, Wegner said.
News video from the scene showed what appeared to be a steam cloud billowing out of the damaged building. The gas was not harmful, Wegner said.
A second valve also ruptured, said Kate Flavin, a spokeswoman for Sedgwick County, and emergency crews vented nitrogen gas from the affected tanks before doing another search of the plant.
No others were found injured and control of the facility was returned to Textron shortly after noon, but emergency crews remained on standby at the scene, she said.
Damage was contained to Plant 3, a site for composite manufacturing and experimental aircraft fabrication including that of the SkyCourier, said Stephanie Harder, a spokeswoman for Textron.
The SkyCourier, a utility turboprop under development, is due to enter service in 2020, Textron has previously said. Harder said it was too early to determine what damage the prototype aircraft under production may have suffered.
Textron Aviation, a unit of Textron Inc (TXT), makes Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft.
The Wichita-area economy has long been supported by aircraft manufacturing. Boeing Co (BA) announced in January it would suspend production of its 737 Max jetliner, which has been grounded worldwide after two fatal crashes. That move affected workers at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Boeing’s top supplier, which produces the jet’s fuselages.
Reporting by Daniel Trotta, Additional reporting by Rich McKay; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Bill Tarrant and Richard Chang
OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced certification of the G1000® NXi integrated flight deck upgrade for the King Air C90. With the G1000 NXi, aircraft owners and operators receive a wealth of new features, innovative capabilities and added utility all within a modern flight deck. King Air C90 owners and operators can easily upgrade from the G1000 to the G1000 NXi with minimal aircraft downtime and installation labor to receive a next-generation integrated flight deck.“As the popularity and demand of the G1000 NXi continues to grow, we’re excited to expand the availability of this upgrade to even more aircraft”
“As the popularity and demand of the G1000 NXi continues to grow, we’re excited to expand the availability of this upgrade to even more aircraft,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “The G1000 NXi is an advanced flight deck that adds modern features including wireless connectivity, visual approach guidance, SurfaceWatch™, HSI map and more, all of which add tremendous value and advanced capability than ever before into existing King Air C90 aircraft.”
Flight Stream 510 and Connext® technology within the G1000 NXi integrated flight deck enables Database Concierge, the wireless transfer of aviation databases from the Garmin Pilot™ app on a mobile device to the G1000 NXi. Additional features include two-way flight plan transfer, the sharing of traffic1, weather1, GPS information, back-up attitude information and more, between the G1000 NXi and the Garmin Pilot, FltPlan Go and ForeFlight Mobile applications.
Visual approach guidance and map overlay within the horizontal situation indicator (HSI) further enhance the G1000 NXi feature set. Within the HSI map, pilots can overlay NEXRAD, Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather, weather radar, SafeTaxi® airport diagrams, traffic, terrain and more. NEXRAD weather radar imagery can be overlaid on the moving map and animated on the multifunction display (MFD). Split-screen view is also available on the MFD, offering a simultaneous view of maps, charts, checklists, flight plans and more on a single screen. The addition of sectional charts and IFR low/high enroute charts give pilots convenient access to chart data on the flight display.
The G1000 NXi also supports the display of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In traffic and subscription-free Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather. The addition of SurfaceWatch runway monitoring technology provides visual and aural cues to help prevent pilots from taking off or landing on a taxiway, on a runway that is too short or on the wrong runway based on performance data entered during preflight. Visual and audible runway distance remaining annunciations are also available via SurfaceWatch within the G1000 NXi.
Modernized displays offer improved readability, while state-of-the-art processors provide smoother panning throughout the displays and faster map rendering within the G1000 NXi. Because the flight displays initialize in seconds, pilots have immediate access to frequencies, flight plan data and more, saving valuable time in the cockpit. The G1000 NXi integrated flight deck also incorporates contemporary animations and new LED back-lighting, offering increased display brightness and clarity, reduced power consumption, and improved dimming performance.
This upgrade adds to the growing portfolio of aircraft eligible for the G1000 NXi integrated flight deck upgrade, including the King Air 200/300/350, Daher TBM 850/900, Cessna Citation Mustang, the Piper PA-46 and soon, the Embraer Phenom 100. Aircraft owners and operators can easily upgrade to the G1000 NXi with little aircraft down time and disruption of the panel because the displays preserve the same footprint and connectors, so panel and wiring modifications are minimized. The G1000 NXi upgrade for the King Air C90 is available immediately through select Garmin dealers. The upgraded components of the G1000 NXi also come with a two-year warranty, which is supported by Garmin’s award-winning avionics product support team. For additional information regarding the G1000 NXi upgrade for the King Air, contact Scott Frye at 913-440-2412 or scott.frye@garmin.com.
Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, an expansive suite of ADS-B solutions and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value. For more information about Garmin’s full line of avionics, go to www.garmin.com/aviation.
